It has been a long time since I had children of the age of this book’s targeted reader. So, I am not sure I am completely qualified to review it, but if this book had been available to me when I was reading to my children, I would have read this to them.

The book is targeted for middle school readers. Not being an educator, I cannot attest to its appropriateness for that age group. I think it is properly targeted, but I am not sure. What I am sure of is that this book is a perfect “bed time read along” for a parent and a child just learning to read. When asked what advice I have for young parents, I always say to read to your children. Take the time to sit and read with them. It is better for them and it is better for you. This book is an excellent choice for that type of reading.

Since I do understand the dynamics of reading to and with a pre-reader, on that basis, I give the book five stars all the way around. It is a book for children. It is not a techno-thriller. Its language and plot structure are appropriate for the middle school audience it was intended to serve, but it is even better as a “read-along” opportunity. On that basis I give it five stars.

The book tells the story of a blind girl who works washing pets for a living. A visiting princess in need of a dancer for her performance in the annual social drafts the pet washer for the role because she is the right size and has deep rich red hair. While much of the rest of the plot is predictable to an adult, this is not intended for adults. It is intended for children and, it seems to me to be perfectly appropriate.

This is the scene where the two girls meet for the first time.

Royals wore the loveliest perfumes in Windym. Cianna had memorized the scent of every perfume ever made since she’d moved in above the perfume shop. She took a big whiff of the odors in the consulting room. She smiled. “It’s faint now, but Polly is wearing Unicornia,” Cianna said. “It’s a new perfume, just invented. It’s going to be popular this summer.”

“Especially with Polly wearing it,” Mia agreed. “Oh my goodness,” she gasped, “the princess left her riding gloves.” Mia lifted the gloves off the chair. Her stomach dropped. Would she be blamed for the gloves being left behind? “Maybe the princess is still outside,” Mia yelped.

Just then, Polly walked back into the Pet Palace looking for her gloves. Polly saw the two friends through the glass room and her mouth fell open when she saw Cianna’s dark red hair.

Mia saw the princess staring at them. Oh no, thought Mia, she sees me holding the gloves. She thinks I stole them. Mia bit her lip. “The princess is back,” she told Cianna. The two girls walked out of the glass room.

Polly rushed toward them.

“I’m so sorry, Your Highness, I just found them,” Mia stammered. She bowed and held out the gloves.

Polly brushed past the receptionist and stood face to face with Cianna. “Your hair,” she said to Cianna, “your hair is red.”

Cianna froze as the princess inspected her hair. Polly twirled the long strands in her fingers. What is going on, wondered Cianna.

“It’s the perfect shade of red,” Polly noted. She stood back to back with Cianna. “You’re older than I am, but we’re about the same size.” Polly seemed to be talking to herself more than to Cianna. She grabbed Cianna’s chin and moved her face from side to side. “You’re pretty too. Can you dance?” Polly asked her.

Cianna’s father had taught her to dance. “Yes,” Cianna fumbled. She wondered what this was all about. No stranger, let alone a royal, had ever paid so much attention to her.

“That’s wonderful,” Polly said. She decided that Cianna would take Mirabel’s place in The Seven Sisters.

Cianna tried to look the princess in the eye even though she was blind.

Polly gasped. “Your eyes are so green. They are the same color as the Borgan Sea! I was just looking at it during lunch.” Polly was delighted. “You are perfect.”

Mia watched all this in amazement. She was still holding the gloves. She spoke up for her friend. “Her name is Cianna,” Mia said, wondering what the princess wanted with her. “She’s blind.”

“You mean she can’t see?” Polly was horrified.

“Right,” said Mia. Cianna could not believe that all this fuss was about her. She just liked how Polly smelled. The princess smelled like horses, chocolate pudding, Unicornia perfume, lavender shampoo, and scented nail polish–all at once.

“Well, I’m sorry you’re blind,” Polly said to Cianna.

“It’s okay,” Cianna said.

“How do you walk around?” the princess asked.

“Very well,” Cianna answered, gripping the cane she rarely used, “better than most people.” Cianna smiled to herself. She often heard the citizens of Flores tripping over their own feet, or stumbling into holes—and they could see!

“I like your spirit,” laughed Polly. “Let’s be friends.”

Cianna could not see Polly’s fancy clothes, her pampered skin, her expensive hairstyle, her diamond earrings or her new boots. She just heard a friendly voice. She’s a girl like me, Cianna thought. “I’d love to be friends,” she agreed.

So, read this to your children or grandchildren. You will all be better for it.